A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hydra vs. Faro for Resorts, Couples, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Hydra or Faro?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hydra or Faro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Hydra

Hydra is a picturesque, charming, and accessible island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Faro

Faro is a popular, busy, and active resort town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Hydra and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hydra or Faro?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hydra. Although Hydra and Faro are both popular with visitors, Hydra has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hydra is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Faro is known for its nightlife and resorts. Hydra is popular for its picturesque setting, car-free setting, and beautiful old town. It is also home to The Monastery of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Faro is popular for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Hydra different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Faro and Hydra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hydra or Faro?

Hydra is great for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Hydra can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a small island, there are many local museums and sights. Highlights include the Historical Archives Museum, the Ecclesiastical Museum, the Monastery of Agia Efpraxia, and the Monastery of Prophet Elias.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hydra or Faro? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hydra is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hydra. For such a small island, it really packs in some great restaurants. Head down the side streets to find the best souvlaki. There are also tavernas where you can sample local wine. Fresh caught seafood is a favorite on the island as well.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Faro. It has become a major tourist town, so you have to get a bit creative to find a more traditional restaurant. Look for fresh seafood like cod, monkfish, or shellfish if you want some local flavors.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a great destination for nightlife. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

The people in Faro know how to have a good time. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Hydra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small island that is often visited as a day trip, so don't expect a huge party scene. There are about seven places in total that make up the island's nightlife scene. Each is centered around the harbor and many people start their evening at one bar and slowly hop around. They usually have DJs and full bars.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Resorts?

Faro is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Hydra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Faro is a great choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

With a selection of resorts, Hydra makes a nice vacation spot. It's a popular day trip destination, but if you stay for a night or two, you'll find boutique hotels and charming pensions.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

There's good scuba diving or snorkeling available in both Hydra and Faro.

Hydra has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some snorkeling spots around the island - most notably Bisti Beach, which is pebbly and has some interesting sea life.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Faro. There are both snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area. It's possible to snorkel off of several beaches or arrange a scuba diving excursion with a local dive shop.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Hydra and Faro are good choices.

Hydra is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are usually pebbly with nice blue water. Many people visit the beaches as part of a boat tour, which leaves from the port and tours the island. Some of the most popular beaches are Vlichos, Kaminia, Bisti and Agios Nikolaos.

Many people head to Faro to enjoy the beach. The most popular beach in the area is Faro Beach. It can get crowded during the summer months but if you walk a bit you can often get away from the crowds. To reach the beach you'll need a car or you can take the bus as the beach is about 10 km away.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Hydra is great for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

Many visitors go to Hydra to see the historical old town. With no cars and plenty of charm, the island's old town feels as if you've stepped back in time. Donkey pulled carts and quaint streets give this town its atmosphere.

Many people head to Faro to see the old town. You'll find historic buildings and cobblestone streets in the old town. It's a nice place to explore, grab a bite to eat, and do a little shopping.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Hiking?

Hydra is great for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Hydra for the hiking trails. The island is filled with walking paths and donkey trails that are fun to explore. Some walk along the sea and offer spectacular views while others take you inland through the hills.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hydra or Faro?

Hydra is great for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hydra. Charming shops fill the town and sell local items such as handmade jewelry and traditional embroideries.

Faro offers some nice shopping areas. The town isn't as big as some others, so it's shopping scene isn't as comprehensive, but you will find the major brands as well as souvenir shops to peruse when you need a break from the beach.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Families?

Hydra is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Hydra is a very family-friendly destination. The island feels like it's frozen in time. There are no cars allowed here, so kids can run freely without the worry of traffic. They'll be as fascinated as you are by the carts pulled by donkeys. Most things you'll visit are also close together, making accessibility easy. In addition to some interesting museums, there are beaches and kid-friendly food. The whole island really is a playground.

Faro is not the most family-friendly destination. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Couples?

Hydra is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

Hydra has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island makes a great honeymoon or couple's destination. Most visitors come as a day trip, but spending a night or two on the island is a unique experience. It has a laid back vibe and is filled with romance. The food is amazing, and the traditional atmosphere will make you feel as if you've traveled back in time.

Faro makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a popular place for backpackers. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Hydra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most people visit the island as a day trip and it doesn't attract nearly as many backpackers as the larger Greek islands. If you visit during the lower season, you might find some affordable accommodation.

Is Hydra or Faro Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Faro is a popular place for its public transit. However, Hydra is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Faro, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hydra. There are sea taxis and beach boats on the island.

Is Hydra or Faro a more walkable city?

Hydra is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Hydra is a very easy island to get around on foot. The entire island is car-free and everything that you want to visit is close together and easy to explore on foot.

Faro is a somewhat walkable place. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Hydra Worth Visiting? and Is Faro Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Faro or Hydra?

How long in Hydra or Faro?

In either Hydra or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than Hydra because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Hydra, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

Families should spend more time in Hydra than Faro. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hydra, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hydra than Faro. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hydra that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Hydra or Faro?

Hydra is a small town where visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this busy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Hydra or Faro?

Hydra is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Hydra or Faro?

Hydra is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Faro is a fun place to experience. In Faro, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Hydra or Faro?

Because Hydra is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hydra and Faro, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Hydra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hydra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hydra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Hydra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hydra Expensive? and Is Faro Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Faro?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Faro, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Hydra or Faro?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hydra or Faro in the Summer?

Both Faro and Hydra during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hydra for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hydra is around the same temperature as Faro in the summer. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Faro fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the summer, Hydra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Faro. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in July than Faro. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Faro in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Faro. Many visitors come to Hydra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Hydra is around the same temperature as Faro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hydra in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Faro averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Faro during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hydra usually receives less rain than Faro. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Faro in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Faro. Most visitors come to Hydra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Hydra is generally cooler than Faro. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 10°C (51°F), and Faro fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the winter, Hydra often gets less sunshine than Faro. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in January than Faro. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Faro in the Spring?

Both Faro and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year.

Hydra is around the same temperature as Faro in the spring. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Faro fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives less sunshine than Faro during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Faro. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Faro and Hydra